Philip O
5.0
(4)
Instruments: Violin
Styles: Classical, Pop
5.0
(4)
Philip O
5.0
(4)
Instruments: Violin
Styles:
Classical, Pop
Where I Teach:
My Studio
Ages Taught: 5-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
MM, University of North Carolina, Violin Performance BM, Western Michigan University, Violin Performance
Overview:
I am a professional concert violinist and have been happily teaching violin for 11 years. I have my Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Western Michigan University. During my student years I had the pleasure of serving as the concertmaster and assistant concert master of my university symphony orchestras, and was a paid member of the University of Oklahoma Graduate String Quartet, which served to showcase the music school in regular public concerts.
I have enjoyed a rich orchestral career, which has taken me across the country to perform with professional orchestras such as the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, the Battle Creek Symphony, the Amarillo Symphony, and many others. Additionally I have performed in numerous public concerts and events as a soloist and an ensemble musician. I only recently settled down with my newly wedded wife in North Carolina and have been building a music studio of enthusiastic musicians of all ages and levels.
EXPERIENCE
I have been teaching professionally for 11 years. Before I began my professional teaching career I already had several years of experience instructing my two younger siblings in violin and cello, even serving as a primary instructor to one of the siblings at one point. I have mainly taught private lessons out of my home. However, I was also a violin teaching assistant at the University of Oklahoma, I have helped teach private and group classes for music camps and events across the country, and am currently employed at School of Creative Arts in Cary. I have enjoyed working with students from a wide range of ages, levels, and personalities. I have taught beginners just starting out, highly advanced students working on difficult concertos, toddlers and grandparents, and most anything in between. It is always exciting getting to know each individual student and learning their unique personalities, sets of interests, and learning styles.
METHODS USED
My curriculum is unique for each individual depending on their goals and age, however I generally start beginners out with Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements for Strings, and a few of my own exercises as needed. After they have become comfortable with the violin I begin them on the Suzuki books or other solo repertoire. As the student progresses I gradually phase out Essential Elements and replace it with elementary scale books and exercise books. From there the paths become much more varied depending on the student’s goals and commitment. One of the most important parts of teaching any student is to ensure that they are enjoying the lessons, which is why I regularly encourage the students to pick their favorite song and study it with me for fun. This is in fact often the most effective way to help a student reach the next level.
LESSON STYLE
Numerous violin teachers make one of two mistakes. Many give their students too little information, leaving the student to figure out the finer technical details on their own, while others feed the student too much information without breaking it down for them. In both cases the student progresses at a slower pace and is likely to become frustrated. My approach is much more step-by-step oriented, allowing the student to fully grasp a concept over the course of one lesson as opposed to several lessons, which results in significantly greater progress over time. I also want my students to enjoy the violin and look forward to their lessons each week as much as I do. If I ever sense that the student is becoming frustrated or isn’t practicing, I consider it my responsibility to get them back on track. Whether it be through extra encouragement, learning their favorite song, making a violin exercise into a game, or just changing up the routine a little, I do whatever I can to make them excited about the violin again.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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RATING & REVIEW
Cynthia Huang
Two things to note: My daughter loves that Philip combines achieving a high standard and having fun. A unique combination from a violin teacher. Thank you.
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